Category: Education & Reference

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Dates: A Global History by Nawal Nasrallah [1861897960, Format: PDF]

Dates: A Global History (Edible) by Nawal Nasrallah

  • Print Length: 136 Pages
  • Publisher: Reaktion Books
  • Publication Date: April 1, 2011
  • Language: English
  • ASIN: B00C2PINN2
  • ISBN-10: 1861897960
  • ISBN-13: 978-1861897961
  • File Format: PDF

In Dates, Nawal Nasrallah draws on her experience of growing up in the lands of ancient Mesopotamia, where the date palm was first cultivated, to explore the history behind the fruit. Dates have an important role in their arid homeland of the Middle East, where they are a dietary staple and can be consumed fresh or dried, as a snack or a dessert, and are even thought to have aphrodisiac qualities.

In this history, Nasrallah describes the central role the date palm has played in the economy of the Middle East. This informative account of the date palm’s story follows its journey from its land of origin to the far-flung regions where it is cultivated today. Along the way, Nasrallah weaves many fascinating and humorous anecdotes that explore the etymology, history, culture, religion, myths, and legends surrounding dates. For example, she explains how the tree came to be a symbol of the Tree of Life and associated with the fiery phoenix bird, the famous ancient goddess Ishtar, and the moon, and how the medjool date acquired its name.

This delightful and unusual book is generously illustrated with many beautiful images, and supplemented with more than a dozen delicious date recipes for savory dishes, sweets, and wine.

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Rice: A Global History by Renee Marton [1780233507, Format: PDF]

Rice: A Global History (Edible) by Renee Marton

  • Print Length: 144 Pages
  • Publisher: Reaktion Books
  • Publication Date: October 15, 2014
  • Language: English
  • ASIN: B011LDV5PI
  • ISBN-10: 1780233507
  • ISBN-13: 978-1780233505
  • File Format: PDF

From jambalaya to risotto, curry to nasi kandar, few foods are as ubiquitous in our meals as rice. A dietary staple and indispensable agricultural product from Asia to the Americas, the grain can be found in Michelin restaurants and family kitchens alike. In this engaging culinary history, Renee Marton explores the role rice has played in society and the food economy as it journeyed from its beginnings in Asia and West Africa to global prominence.

Examining the early years of rice’s burgeoning popularity, Marton shows that trade of the grain was driven by profit from both high status export rice and the lower-quality versions that fed countless laborers. In addition to urbanization and the increase in marketing and advertising, she reveals that rice’s rise to supremacy also came through its consumption by slave, indentured servant, and immigrant communities. She also considers the significance rice has in cultural rituals, literature, music, painting, and poetry. She even shows how the specific rice one consumes can have great importance in distinguishing one’s identity within an ethnic group. Chock full of delicious recipes from across the globe, Rice is a fascinating look at how this culinary staple has defined us.